Bahrain open to new five-year deal for F1 race

Bahrain Grand Prix organisers say Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has discussed the possibility of a new five-year deal and hosting a night race next year.

The state-run Bahrain News Agency said on Tuesday that organisers were also keen to be the season-opening race in 2014 -- a position lost after the race was cancelled in 2011 due to anti-government protests. The current contract with F1 runs until 2016.

The race was run without incident on Sunday, though it was the target outside the circuit of rights groups and anti-government protesters who claim the race glosses over a myriad of problems in the divided nation.

Security was tight for the Grand Prix and the Interior Ministry said on Tuesday it thwarted possible attacks before the race.